Tharseo: Reversing the Urge to Collapse

Word of the Week

August 31, 2024

Tharseō: Reversing the Urge to Collapse

 

In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 NASB2020

 

“Jesus promises his disciples three things: that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble” (F. R. Maltby).

Most of us hesitate to claim that we’re completely fearless or absurdly happy, but we can relate to that “constant trouble” part of the statement!

We exist in a world where it is easy to be paralyzed by the perils around us.  Each news cycle brings dramatic images of threats that range from global wars to identity theft.  We can’t solve all those problems.  We can’t even be sure to protect ourselves from everything.  Accumulated anxiety can solidify into panic or despair so that we become like deer in the headlights, unable to decide which way to move.

Jesus has a word of encouragement for His children in those frightening moments, and it wraps around a Greek word.

“Take courage!”  That heartening instruction comes from the Greek word tharseō [thar-SHE-oh], which occurs seven times in the New Testament.  You will find it rendered “have courage, take heart, be of good cheer, be confident, be courageous.”

You can find this word in secular Greek all the way back to Homer and the Iliad, at the dawn of Greek literature.  For the ancient Greeks, courage was based on sheer will power and a steely drive to overcome the enemy.  However, it took on a different flavor in the Greek version of the Old Testament.

Tharseō lies behind some of the many occasions where the Old Testament says, “Fear not!”

• Cornered by an oncoming army of Egyptians, Moses told the terrified Israelites “Fear not” (Exodus 14:13).
• At the base of Mount Sinai, the people were afraid that a holy God would incinerate them, but Moses told them, “Don’t be afraid” (Exodus 20:20
• The widow at Zarephath was preparing her last loaf of bread when Elijah asked for a meal. “Be not afraid but fix a loaf first for me,” he responded (1 Kings 17:13).

Each time someone was facing death, but the word was “Don’t be afraid!  Take action based on the promises of God.”

In the New Testament, every time we find the word tharseō, it is a command.

• A paralyzed man was brought to Jesus, who said, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven” (Matthew 9:2).
• The woman who had been bleeding for twelve years was healed, and Jesus confronted her: “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well (Matthew 9:22).
• A blind man called out as Jesus passed by, and the onlookers called him over, saying, “Take courage! Stand up!  He is calling for you” (Mark 10:49).

All three had suffered for years from incurable conditions.  It was hopeless, and you could excuse them for drooping in despair.  But that’s exactly the time when God says, “Take courage!  It’s not hopeless, because Jesus is here.”

The twelve disciples were caught in a massive storm on the Sea of Galilee, rowing desperately through the night in a frantic attempt to reach shore.  They were getting nowhere, despairing of life when things suddenly got worse.  A ghostly figure appeared in the distance, moving across the water toward them.  Now they were in a panic!  It was at that moment that Jesus called to them, “Take courage!  It is I; do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50).

The apostle Paul was also struggling with a seemingly hopeless situation.  In the last couple days, he had been caught in a riot, assailed by a mob who wanted to kill him, seized and almost flogged by Roman troops, threatened with a second murderous mob, hauled before a session of the Sanhedrin full of hostile authorities, and now he was in jail while three dozen Jews conspired to murder him.  Even a tough campaigner like Paul would be at the end of his strength.  But look what God did for him.  “On the next night, the Lord stood at his side and said, ‘Take courage – as you have witnessesd to my cause in Jerusalem, you will also witness at Rome’” (Acts 23:11).

Tharseō is a word designed for desperate situations.  Whether a person is locked in a losing fight with disease, dodging the waves slamming into the boat, or nursing the wounds from a riot, Jesus says, “Take courage.”  Don’t collapse in despair.  Don’t give way to panic.  Remember the promises of God and start moving forward in obedience to Him.

In the Upper Room, Jesus used the same word to make it clear that this is a universal word to all of His children.  “In the world you will have tribulation, but be courageous.  Lift your spirits from despair.  You can keep going with strength and joy.  Why?  Not because you are so strong, but because I have overcome the world.  I have already won the victory, so keep following me.”  God has called you to be His warrior, a servant of the King.

 

 

Study Hint:

Tharseō was the original spelling of this word, but an alternate spelling, tharreō, developed eventually.  It appears six times in the New Testament, with a very similar meaning.  There is also a noun tharsos, “courage” which is used in Acts 28:15.  The main article above focuses exclusively on tharseō, but you can expand your understanding by studying the other words.  References using tharreō:  2 Corinthians 5:6, 8; 7:16; 10:1, 2; Hebrews 13:6.

 

Coming Up

Psychologists and self-help authors warn against the dangers of being a people-pleaser.  As you might expect, the New Testament provides wisdom in knowing whom we should please.  Next week we will examine the Greek word that sums up the subject.

©Ezra Project 2024